My Approach to Newborn Photography, and How to Prepare for your Newborn Session
If you’re reading this, it’s probably because you’re expecting. Congratulations!
If you’re not expecting, maybe you’re researching for someone else or maybe you’re just killing time on the internet. Either way, happy you're here!
When I start talking to a new family about newborn photography, I always like to connect via FaceTime or over coffee or lunch. It’s a great chance to explain my style and my approach to this type of work.
In general, I focus on lifestyle-type images as opposed to traditional, posed newborn photography with various props, wraps, etc. Some of the types of images that I would get are: the baby alone, the baby with each parent, the baby with parents together, nursery (if applicable), with siblings/pets (if applicable), etc.
I do bring some neutral swaddles and wraps, a Moses basket, and posing pillows, but I don't bring many other props. I have the utmost respect for photographers who are traditional newborn photographers, that’s just not my style of work and I think it’s great that there is a variety of family and newborn photographers out there.
After an expecting person or parents have booked me for my newborn photography services, I am on call around their due date. I only accept a certain number of newborn shoots each month so that I always have time in my schedule for each family. Once the baby arrives, one of the parents reaches out to me once everyone is home and settled, and we schedule the session!
I provide some brief directions on how to prepare for this session, but I always want to remind families that I can work around just about any issue that might come up during the time I’m there. If your house is a wreck, please don’t fret. I will move things (and put them back) as needed. Is your baby crying for thirty minutes straight during the session? We can work around that. My overall goal is to keep these as low-stress as possible while giving you images that will serve as keepsakes for years to come.
Some of the ways I tell parents to prepare for the session are:
Keep baby awake for a while before the session time. This way they're more likely to sleep through pictures.
Right before the shoot starts, feed your baby. And if they start fussing during the shoot, feed them then, too. Full baby = happy, sleepy baby. (That being said, I'm also happy to take breastfeeding pictures if you'd like.) A note on eating - even if the baby has just finished eating, almost all babies want just a little bit more after being moved to help them fall deeply asleep. I know this goes against the idea of a schedule, but it helps with the shoot going smoothly.
Feed the baby in only a diaper and a loose swaddle blanket so we don’t have to bother the baby with undressing them.
Sometimes it helps to turn the temperature up a couple of degrees to make newborns extra cozy.
I will also text the family day-of to offer a coffee, snack, etc. pick up on my way over because I 100% believe you should never walk into the house of a family with a newborn empty-handed. I will also offer to do your dishes or fold your laundry. From one parent to another, please accept the help.
If you have any questions regarding newborn sessions or if you’d like to get something scheduled, don’t hesitate to reach out! I typically book out 2-3 months in advance for these sessions.